Tape having transverse slits and method of slitting the same

ABSTRACT

In a preferred form, this disclosure relates to a pressure sensitive, vinyl backed roll of adhesive tape whose opposite sides or side faces are slit in a particular pattern such that when the tape is unrolled its opposite side edge portions are transversely slit at longitudinally spaced locations so as to enable the tape to be easily torn transversely thereof. This disclosure also relates to a method for slitting the tape by providing a roll of tape and then cutting the sides of the roll with a cutting means to provide a plurality of slits in a particular pattern extending transversely across the side of the roll and inwardly from the side a predetermined depth.

United States Patent Kiley et a].

*[15] 3,688,617 [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] TAPE HAVING TRANSVERSE SLITS ANDMETHOD OF SLITTING THE SAME [72] Inventors: John S. Kiley; Robert C.Jason, both of Warren, Ohio [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Nov. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 93,141

[52] US. Cl ..83/7, 206/58, 206/59 C [51] Int. Cl ..'...B26d 3/08, 365d85/67 [58] Field of Search ..206/58, 59 C; 83/7 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,303,144 1 1/1942 Stephenson ..206/58 2,508,8555/1950 Brown ..206/58 UX Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Attorney-W. E.Finken and W. A. Schuetz ABS'I RACT In a preferred form, this disclosurerelates to a pressure sensitive, vinyl backed roll of adhesive tapewhose opposite sides or side faces are slit in a particular pattern suchthat when the tape is unrolled its opposite side edge portions aretransversely slit at longitudinally spaced locations so as to enable thetape to be easily tom transversely thereof. This disclosure also relatesto a method for slitting the tape by providing a roll of tape and thencutting the sides of the roll with a cutting means to provide aplurality of slits in a particular pattern extending transversely acrossthe side of the roll and inwardly from the side a predetermined depth.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 5 I972 sum 1 or 3 I N VEN TORSfadw 515/ BY Wa d;

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ATTOR EY PATENTEUSEP 5 m2 SHEET 2 0F 3 I VENTORS AT TOR EY minnowm I3.688.617 'snmaora fa/2x2 S 45%? 5 BY fwm c $500 ATTO EY TAPE HAVINGTRANSVERSE SLITS AND METHOD OF SLITTING THE SAME The present inventionrelates to a roll of tape whose opposite sides are slit in theparticular pattern such that when the tape is unrolled its opposite sideedge portions are transversely slit at spaced longitudinal locations,and to a method for slitting the tape.

Heretofore, adhesive tapes of various kinds have been provided withslits which extend inwardly from a side edge thereof at spacedlongitudinal locations. The provision of the slits facilitatestransverse tearing of the tape at the slits.

As far as known, these slits were individually cut into the tape atspaced longitudinal locations by a cutting means prior to the tape beingrolled up into rolls for shipment and use. A disadvantage of this methodis that it requires numerous cutting operations and thus, is arelatively slow method. Also, in the case of elastically backed adhesivetape,,such as vinyl backed tape, the cutting of the slits in the tape issomewhat difficult.

The present invention overcomes the above-noted difficulties by slittingthe tape subsequent to the tape being rolled into a roll. This isaccomplished by cutting one or both sides of the rolled tape to providea roll of tape whose side or sides have a plurality of lineartransversely extending, slits in a predetermined pattern and which arecut to a predetermined depth so that when the tape is subsequentlyunrolled its side edge or edges will be transversely slit at spacedlongitudinal locations.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved roll tape, preferably a .vinyl backed tape having a pressuresensitive adhesive on one side, in which at least one side of the rollhas a plurality of slits which are linear, extend transversely of theside and which are cut to a predetermined depth whereby when the tape isunrolled from the roll it is transversely slit from one side edgethereof at longitudinally spaced locations so as to enable it to beeasily torn transversely thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedroll of tape, as defined in the preceding object, and wherein the sideof the roll of tape is slit in a criss-cross pattern so that when thetape is unrolled the side edge will be slit at unevenly spacedlongitudinal locations.

A further object is to provide a new and improved roll of tape, asdefined in the first object, and in which the side of the roll of tapeis slit along radial lines at spaced annular locations and withalternate ones of the slits extending from the outer circumference ofthe roll to approximately half-way the length of the other slits wherebywhen the tape is unrolled the side edge will be slit at substantiallyequally spaced longitudinal locations therealong.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved method for producing tape, preferably a vinyl backed tapehaving a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side, having longitudinallyspaced transversely extending slits extending inwardly from at least oneside edge thereof and which includes the steps of providing a roll oftape and then cutting at least one side of the roll of tape with acutter means to provide a plurality of linear slits extendingtransversely across the side of the roll and inwardly from the plane ofthe side to predetermined depth whereby the roll when subsequentlyunrolled will have transverse slits at spaced longitudinal locations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved method, as defined in the next preceding object, and in whichthe side of the roll of tape is first cut to provide a first pluralityof parallel spaced, transverse, slits and then cut to provide a secondplurality of spaced parallel, transverse, slits extending transverselyof or normal to the first plurality of cuts to provide a criss-crosspattern.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved method, as defined in the penultimate object, and in which theside of the roll of the tape is out along radial lines and withalternate ones of the radial lines extending inwardly from thecircumference of the tape a distance less than the other lines so thatwhen the tape is subsequently unrolled it will have transverse slits atsubstantially equally spaced longitudinal locations.

The present invention further resides in various novel constructions andarrangement of parts, and further objects, novel characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it relates and from the following detailed descriptionof the illustrated embodiments thereof made with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in whichsimilar reference numerals or characters are employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a roll of tape constructed inaccordance with the provisions of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the roll of tape shown in FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for carrying out themethod of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a roll oftape constructed in accordance with the provisions of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the roll of tape shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevationalview of an alternate apparatus forcarrying out the method of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7and looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8. p

As representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1of the drawings shows a roll of tape 10. The roll of tape 10 is wound orrolled around a hollow mandrel or core 12 and has planar supposed sides13 and 14.

The tape 10 could be of any suitable or conventional construction anddoes not, per se, form a part of the present invention. Suffice it tosay that the tape preferably has an elastic backing, such as a suitablevinyl or polyvinyl chloride, and a suitable or conventional pressuresensitive adhesive applied to one side thereof.

Both sides or side faces 13 and 14 of the roll of tape 10 are cut orslit along spaced, parllel, linearly extending horizontal and verticalcut or slit lines 20 and 21. The spaced horizontal cut lines 20 extendtransversely across the entire sides 13 and 14 of the roll of tape 10and extend axially inwardly from the plane of the sides a predetermineddepth, preferably one thirty-second to three-sixteenths of an inch. Thevertical cut lines 21 extend vertically across the entire sides 13 and14 and to the same depth of the horizontal cut lines 20. The horizontaland vertical cut lines 20 and 21 extend transversely or normal to eachother and together define a criss-cross cut line pattern.

The cut lines 20 and 21 on the opposite sides 13 and 14 of the rollprovide opposed transverse slits 22 extending inwardly from the sideedges of the tape at spaced longitudinal locations therealong when thetape is unrolled. The slits 22 extend normal to the side edge of thetape and enable the tape to be readily torn transversely thereof at theslits 22. The slits 22 are at unequally spaced longitudinal locationsalong the tape.

The present invention also provides a novel method for producing tapehaving its side edge portions transversely slit at spaced longitudinallocations. The method contemplates the steps of providing a roll of tape10, preferably -vinyl backed adhesive tape, and then cutting at leastone, but preferably both, sides l3, 14 of the roll of tape 10 with acutting means or cutter apparatus to provide cut-lines extendinglinearly across the side or sides 13, 14 and inwardly thereof apredetermined depth.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an apparatus for carrying out the novelmethod of the a present invention is thereshown. The apparatus broadlycomprises an endless conveyor 30 for conveying the rolls of tape 10 toan inclined chute 32 from which they are fed by gravity in back to backfashion to a cutting mechanism 34.

The endless conveyor 30 could be of any suitable or conventionalconstruction and is hereshown as comprising an endless belt 35 trainedaround a drive pulley (not shown) and an idler pulley 37. The belt 35has a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections 38. The projections38 are received within the hollow mandrels 12 and serve to carry therolls of tape 10 upwardly to the upperend 39 of the chute 32. As theendless belt 35 goes around the idler pulley 37, the rolls of tape 10fall off and are deposited on the chute 32. The rolls of tape 10deposited on the chute 32 slide down the chute in back to back fashiontoward the cutting mechanism 34.

The cutting mechanism 34 comprises a support frame 40. The support frame40 at its upper left side supports a first cutting means or assembly 42.The cutting assembly 42 comprises a generally U-shaped, fabricatedstationary support means 44 which is suitably secured to the frame 40.The support means 44 supports a pair of spaced, but vertically aligned,rotary cutters 45 and 46. The rotary cutters 45 and 46 are of the samediameter and each comprise a cylindrical body member 48 which is securedto a shaft 49 having its opposite ends rotatably journaled in bearings50 supported by the opposite side walls 51 of the support means 40. Theupper cylindrical body member 48 suitably carries a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced, axially and radially extending knives 52. Thelower cylindrical body member 48 suitably carries a plurality of axiallyspaced, annular radially extending knives 54. The knives 52 of the uppercutter 45 provide horizontal slits or cuts in the side 13 of the roll oftape 10 and the lower knives 54 provide vertical slits or cuts 21 in theside 13 of the roll of tape 10 as the roll 10 moves therepast.

cutters 45 and 46 are rotated simultaneously and at the same speed.

The cutting mechanism 34 further comprises a second rotary knifeassembly which is of the same construction as the rotary knife assembly42, except that the second assembly 70 has a support means 72 which isslidably supported on upstanding ways (not shown) secured to the frame40. The parts of the assembly 70 which are identical to the parts of theassembly 42 have been given the same reference numerals. The supportmeans 72 of the assembly 70 carries a suitable nut (not'shown) which isin threaded engagement with a threaded lead screw (not shown) having'itsopposite ends r otatably journaled in the frame 40 and which isdrivingly connected to a hand wheel 75. The right hand cutter assembly70 can be adjustably positioned with respect to the left hand cutterassembly 42 by suitably rotating the hand wheel 75 which causes thesupport means 72 to slide on the ways toward and from the left handcutter assembly 42. By being able to adjustably position the righthand'cutter assembly 70 with respect to the left hand cutter assembly42, different width rolls of tape can be accommodated and cut.

,The rolls of tape 10 slide down the chute by gravity and move betweenthe cutter assemblies 42 and 70. As they move between the cutterassemblies 42 and 70, the knives 52 of the upper rotary cutters 45horizontally cut the opposite sides 13 and 14 of the roll of tape 10 toprovide the horizontal slits 21. After passing between the rotarycutters 45, the vertically disposed knives 54 on the rotary cutters 46cut the opposite side 13 and 14 of the roll of tape 10 to provide thevertical slits 20. After the opposite sides 13 and 14 of rolled tapehave been so cut,they fall by gravity into a hopper 80.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternate roll of tape 82 produced in accordancewith the provisions of the present invention. Corresponding parts of theroll of tape 82 will be given the same reference numerals as the roll oftape 10, but with a prime added thereto. The roll of tape 82 is of anidentical construction to the roll of tape 10 except that the sides 13'and 14' are cut along cut or slit lines 83 and 84 which are linear andextend radially of the roll of tape 82. As shown in FIG. 5, alternateones 83 of the cut lines extend from the outer circumference of the tapeto the inner mandrel 12'. The depth of the cut lines 83 and 84 is fromone thirtysecond to threesixteenths of an inch. Alternate ones 84 of thecut lines also extend from the outer periphery of the roll of tape 82 toa point intermediate, preferably half-way between, the outer peripheryand the mandrel 12. The cut lines 83 and 84 are equally angularlyspaced. The reason for providing alternate cut lines 84 which are onlyhalf the radial extent of the other cut lines 82 is so that when thetape is unrolled it will have opposed slits 22' at substantially equallyspaced longitudinal locations. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the

length of tape between the cut lines 83 and 84 adjacent the angulardistance of the tape between the cut lines 83 adjacent the innercircumference. t

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an apparatus 90 for carrying out a novel method forproducing the cut lines 83 and 84 in the roll of tape 82. The apparatuscomprises a stationary bottom member 91 having an upwardly extendingmandrel 92 which receives the hollow mandrel 12 of the roll of tape 82.The apparatus further includes a vertically reciprocable cutter 93 inthe form of a die which carries a plurality of knives 94 at spacedangular locations. The knives are of a length and arranged so as toproduce the cut line pattern shown in FIG. 5. The die 93 would besuitably carried by a ram of a press and be vertically aligned with thebottom member 91.

In operation, the roll of tape 82 would be placed on the bottom member91 and the cutter 93 then moved downwardly toward and against the side13' of the roll of tape 82. During this movement the knives 94 wouldsaid roll of tape to a cutting means, cutting said side of said roll oftape with said cutting means to provide a plurality of linear cut linesin a criss-cross pattern and with the cut lines extending transverselyacross the side of the roll and inwardly from the plane of the side to apredetermined depth whereby said tape when subsequently unrolled willhave transverse slits adjacent one side edge thereof at spacedlongitudinal locations.

2. A method of producing tape, such as a tape having an elastic backingand a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side thereof, havinglongitudinally spaced transversely extending slits extending inwardlyfrom its opposite side edges subsequent to the tape being made androlled on a mandrel to form a roll having planar opposite sidescomprising: cutting the opposite sides of the roll with a rotary cuttermeans to provide a first plurality of spaced parallel cut linesextending transversely across the sides of the roll and inwardly fromthe plane of the sides to a predetermined depth, then cutting theopposite sides of the roll with a second rotary cutter means to providea second plurality of spaced parallel cut lines extending transverselyto the first plurality of cut lines and extending transversely acrossthe sides of the roll and inwardly from the plane of the sides to apredetermined depth whereby said tape when subsequently unrolled willhave opposed slits extending transversely from its opposite side edgesat unevenly longitudinally spaced locations.

1. A method of producing tape having longitudinally spaced transverselyextending slits extending inwardly from at least one side edge thereofcomprising providing a roll of tape having planar opposite sides;feeding said roll of tape to a cutting means, cutting said side of saidroll of tape with said cutting means to provide a plurality of linearcut lines in a criss-cross pattern and with the cut lines extendingtransversely across the side of the roll and inwardly from the plane ofthe side to a predetermined depth whereby said tape when subsequentlyunrolled will have transverse slits adjacent one side edge thereof atspaced longitudinal locations.
 2. A method of producing tape, such as atape having an elastic backing and a pressure sensitive adhesive on oneside thereof, having longitudinally spaced transversely extending slitsextending inwardly from its opposite side edges subsequent to the tapebeing made and rolled on a mandrel to form a roll having planar oppositesides comprising: cutting the opposite sides of the roll with a rotarycutter means to provide a first plurality of spaced parallel cut linesextending transversely across the sides of the roll and inwardly fromthe plane of the sides to a predetermined depth, then cutting theopposite sides of the roll with a second rotary cutter means to providea second plurality of spaced parallel cut lines extending transverselyto the first plurality of cut lines and extending transversely acrossthe sides of the roll and inwardly from the plane of the sides to apredetermined depth whereby said tape when subsequently unrolled willhave opposed slits extending transversely from its opposite side edgesat unevenly longitudinally spaced locations.